FY 2025-26 · 52 decisions
What Council actually voted on.
Most of the city budget is locked in — salaries, pensions, contracts, debt service. The interesting fights happen in the Decision PackagesA Decision Package is a supplemental request a department submits to change its base budget or service level. Each is voted on individually by Council. The City received 52 this year; all were recommended for approval.: 52 individual yes/no choices that fund (or don't fund) specific programs, positions, and one-time investments.
Together they net +$5.73M of new spending citywide (+$1.38M from the General Fund). Categories are the criteria the City Manager used to rank them.
RevenueItems that bring in money or reduce a subsidy — fee increases, new charges, or recovery from outside sources. · 6 items
net −$911K- −$152K#01Police Department Master Fee Schedule Update
ongoing cost
- −$486K#02Parking Meter Revenue and Credit Card Fees
ongoing cost
- —#03Performing Arts Center Fee and Cost Updates
ongoing cost
- −$304K#04Community Development Fee Increase
ongoing cost
- −$17K#05Public Works Master Fee Schedule Update
ongoing cost
- +$48K#06Fire Department Consulting Services
one-time
RestoreItems that bring back funding cut in prior years, often to backfill positions or programs lost during budget squeezes. · 1 item
net +$58K- +$58K#07Funding for Emergency Medical Services Equipment & Training
ongoing cost
MandateSpending the City cannot easily avoid — state or federal mandates, contractual obligations, or unavoidable cost increases. · 15 items
net +$2.81M- +$31K#08City Clerk's Office Cost of Services
ongoing cost
- +$307K#09Special Election for Zoning Changes
one-time
- +$200K#10Revenue-Sharing Contract — Plan Checking Fees
ongoing cost
- +$25K#11Paramedic Continuing Education Program
ongoing cost
- +$34K#12Paramedic School Tuition
one-time
- +$60K#13Fire Department Replacement PPE
one-time
- +$306K#14Increased Tree Trimming Budget
one-time
- +$135K#15Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP)
one-time
- —#16Police SLESF, Forfeiture & Evidence Appropriations
one-time
- +$95K#17Fire Department Radio Equipment for New Vehicles
one-time
- +$239K#18IT Equipment Replacement
one-time
- +$255K#19Interoperability Network South Bay & Everbridge
ongoing cost
- +$88K#20Police Body-Worn Camera Annual Cost
ongoing cost
- —#21Annual Refuse Rates Adjustment
ongoing cost
- +$1.03M#22Transit Operations & Maintenance Funding (BCT + RBTC)
ongoing cost
Health & SafetyDiscretionary spending tied to public health, safety, and quality of life — things the Council chose to prioritize. · 8 items
net +$1.25M- +$187K#23Police Department Technologies
ongoing cost
- +$367K#24Crossing Guard Services
one-time
- +$47K#25Domestic Violence Advocacy Program
one-time
- +$305K#26Harbor Master (new Fire position)
ongoing cost
- +$200K#27AES Property Litigation
one-time
- +$100K#28Fuel Island Rehabilitation and Improvement
one-time
- +$32K#29Sidewalk Inspection Program
ongoing cost
- +$15K#30Public Works Part-Time Budget (Fleet)
ongoing cost
EfficiencyReorganizations or process changes intended to make the City run better, often paying for themselves over time. · 8 items
net +$346K- −$3K#31Human Resources Staffing Reorganization
ongoing cost
- +$53K#32Police Department Civilian Personnel Adjustments
ongoing cost
- +$74K#33Police Department Wellness Program
one-time
- +$18K#34Convert Park Caretaker to Irrigation Technician
ongoing cost
- +$13K#35Public Works Engineering Staffing Reorganization
ongoing cost
- +$163K#36Community Services Senior Management Analyst
ongoing cost
- —#37After-School Program Registration Fee
ongoing cost
- +$28K#38Public Works Solid Waste Position Reclassification
ongoing cost
New ServicePrograms, equipment, or staff the City didn't have before — the most discretionary category. · 14 items
net +$2.10M- +$19K#39Police Bulletproof Vests Funding Match
one-time
- +$31K#40Police Background Investigations Contract Services
one-time
- +$95K#41July 4th Fireworks Display
one-time
- +$11K#42Senior Lunch Program Expansion (one extra day/week)
ongoing cost
- +$17K#43Teen Center Programs, Events, and Activities
ongoing cost
- −$25K#44Teen Center Facility Rentals
ongoing cost
- −$15K#45Alta Vista Tennis Center Tournaments
ongoing cost
- —#46Information Technology Department Reorganization
ongoing cost
- +$60K#47Marine Mammal Care Center Contract
one-time
- +$120K#48Waterfront Contracts & Professional Services — Legal
one-time
- +$199K#49Public Works Contracts & Specialized Services
ongoing cost
- +$208K#50Public Works Maintenance Materials & Supplies
ongoing cost
- +$1.35M#51Vehicle Replacement Request
one-time
- +$28K#52Pier Solid Waste Charges
ongoing cost